Nicole by OPI launches new Fall shades exclusively at Target

Drugstorenews.com is reporting that Nicole by OPI is launching new shades of nail lacquer exclusively at Target this Fall.  “Nicole by OPI is excited to bring the fashion-forward Target guest new lacquers for the Fall season,” stated Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, Nicole by OPI EVP and artistic director. “Not only do the shades add the final touch to runway trends, the shimmery finish adds elegance and depth to these trendy colors.”   The new Target exclusive shades will be available in August for $7.04 each at select Target stores and online at Target.com.

No color names (or pictures) have been released yet, but the richly pigmented formulas will come in shimmering shades of deep blue, gold, purple, mauve and green. Shown here is one of Nicole by OPI's exclusive Spring shades for Target, called Great Minds Pink Alike.

Double-Take: Mossimo vs. Dolce Vita

This delicious double-take is courtesy of The Budget Babe.  One of these summery sandals is from Dolce Vita (available at Shopbop) and will set you back $69.  The other is from Mossimo (at Target) and will only cost you $14.99.  Which one is which?  The answer appears in the comments section below.

JCP doesn't scare Target...

A couple of weeks ago I commented that JCP continues to copy Target.  But apparantly, the Bullseye doesn't care.  Racked.com reports that JCP's sales tactics isn't scaring the competition.

John Mulligan, executive vice president and chief financial officer of Target released the following statement: "People say that J.C. Penney has stolen our mojo because their ads look like ours. I think there are a couple of commercials and circulars that look like our brand, [but] that’s not stealing our brand.…There’s the misperception that it’s getting away from us and that’s not true at all."

Target to sell Gay Pride t-shirts

With the Obama administration coming out in support of marriage equality earlier this month, Target has stepped up to the plate by launching a charitable T-shirt line in support of gay pride. Pictured is one of the 10 different designs, which will only be sold online on Target.com (and not in stores).  Two of the designs - including the ‘Love is Love’ shirt shown here - were designed by singer Gwen Stefani.  Each T-shirt sells for $12.99, and all proceeds up to ($120,000) will be donated to the Family Equality Council.


Of course, this move by the Bullseye doesn't come without controversy, especially since Target already faced a boycott two years ago when it donated $150,000 in support of anti-gay Republican Tom Emmer of Minnesota.  Now the backlash comes from the other side, as Conservative groups that claim to support families are outraged that Target is selling these shirts in support of Gay Pride Month (in June). 

Double-Take: Target vs. West Elm

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from the Bullseye and pair it up with a lookalike  - and also pricier - designer piece.  This time we have two kitchy owl lamps, which are quite similar except one has a white lamp shade and the other has a black one.  Plus the fact that one is $99 from West Elm, whereas the other is only  $39.99 from Target. Which one is which?  The answer appears in the comments section below.

Target launches "Shopkick" App

Starting today, Target guests with smart phones can earn points for shopping with shopkick, a free app available on iPhone and Android phones. Simply download shopkick from iTunes or Google Play, then open the app to see what offers and rewards (or "kicks") Target has in store for you.  When you visit a Target store, open the app to earn kicks automatically upon entry, then swing by the aisles to earn more kicks by scanning different products.  And upon checkout, simply show the barcodes you've scanned on your smartphone screen to the cashier to redeem. 

While this all sounds fabulous in theory, I wonder how many consumers will actually sign up for this program.  Most times I just want to "get in and out" of the store fast, and trudging out my smartphone, scanning things, and then having the cashier scan my scans at the register just seems like more trouble than it's worth.  What about you, readers?  Is this a program you'll sign up for?

Liz Lange celebrates 10 years at Target

At a recent party celebrating the 10th anniversary of her partnership with the Bullseye, maternity designer Liz Lange was quoted as saying “If someone told me 10 years ago that I’d be working for Target, I would have said, ‘You’re smoking crack.’” Lange added - when asked how she knew she had really “made it,” - that “It was the day Target asked me to partner with them.”

WWD reports that the party space, a penthouse near the High Line, was patterned after the designer’s home. In conjunction to the event, Trisha Adams, senior vice president of apparel and accessories at Target, said the retailer would be donating $10,000 to Jhpiego, Lange’s pet organization, which provides lifesaving cervical cancer programs around the world. Lange is a survivor of the disease.

Lange’s maternity collection for Target has grown from 12 to 14 pieces a season to 40 to 60 items each season. A very pregnant Molly Sims, who’s due in just four weeks, was excited about the designs. “This just didn’t exist 10 years ago,” she said, holding a denim skirt with a stretch waist. Shown here is one of the fabulous Liz Lange for Target maxi dresses from last Summer's collection.

Bronze Beauty

Part of Sonia Kashuk's 2012 Spring/Summer line includes her new Bare Illuminating Bronzer (just $12.99 at Target). On her blog, Sonia explains that her innovative "poured powder formula combines all of the ideal properties of powder, cream, and liquid", in pretty packaging that mimics a reptile print.  The velvety formula "creates a transparent veil of warming color that is both buildable and luminous", and helps "achieve a natural, flawless glow."  For best results, Sonia advises to "apply bronzer all over for color, concentrating on the areas where the sun naturally hits the face."

Consumer Alert: don't use PayPal on Target.com

Thank you to my fellow blogger The Recessionista for the following consumer alert: if you pay for your Target.com online purchase at checkout with PayPal, you won't get cash back if you try to return the item. That's right: if you pay via your PayPal account (which is essentially cash from your checking account) they won't refund you in cash.  Instead, you'll get the amount back on a Target Gift Card (like the one shown) which is essentially store credit. Their exact policy states that "If you pay by PayPal and then return items to a Target store or Target.com your refund will be issued in the form of a Target GiftCard."  Furthermore, when The Recessionista tried to get her money due via a gift card, the gift card then would not work, causing further headaches (and discussions with a store manager before the matter was resolved).

While other retailers may have this same policy, the problem with Target is that they "push PayPal" as a payment option while burying the return policy in the fine print.  I remember during the Missoni madness of last Fall several complaints about this same issue, with buyers engraged that once their Missoni for Target orders finally arrived, the store pushed "Target Gift Cards" as the form of refund if they had returns. And by that time, folks had "had it" with Target, and the last thing they wanted was store credit to buy MORE things from the Bullseye.

Target settles in late-lunch firing lawsuit...

The Sacramento Bee is reporting that Target has agreed to pay $275,000 to settle a lawsuit brought by a former employee at one of its Northern California stores who said she was fired because she took her lunch breaks late. The settlement comes after Margarita Arriaga, who had worked as a cashier and at other positions at a Sacramento-area store for over 16 years, sued after she was fired last June.

In court filings, Target said that Arriaga was fired for taking lunch breaks late three times over the course of 18 months, including one break that she took two minutes late. The company said that the violations are "automatic ground for termination." But in her suit, claiming discrimination and lack of accommodation because of a diagnosed disability, Arriaga said she had trouble keeping track of time because of her disability. [News reports are not revealing said disability]. She also said that when she applied to the Employment Development Department for unemployment benefits, Target falsely accused her of conduct which the retailer said was the equivalent of a voluntary resignation.

Target acknowledged in court papers that Arriaga was "well-liked by her managers and peers, and she received generally satisfactory performance evaluations," but the retailer denied that store personnel, including its managers, were aware of Arriaga's disability.

New Summer Edition of Harajuku Mini at Target

Gwen Stefani debuted the first installment of her Harajuku Mini line back in November, following up with another in January and yet another in March.  Now comes the "summer collection", which includes swimwear. This newest set, which just launched at Target, screams summer, with bright colors and ruffles for girls, and bold graphics and safari prints for boys.

I also notice that Harajuki Mini is now available for sale online at Target.com. Not sure when that switch was made, as when the first installment was launched, it was for sale exclusively in stores.

Double-Take: Target vs Old Navy

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from the Bullseye and pair it up with a similar name brand item.  Only this time, the other brand wins, in a REVERSE double-take!

One of these breezy cotton gauze tops is from The Webster at Target, and will set you back $29.99.  And the other is the Mexicali Crinkle-Gauze Top from Old Navy, on sale for just $17. Yes, the embroidery color and style is a bit different on each... but the look is the basically the same. And if you want to invest on a Summer trend, you might as well save a few dollars.  So which one is which?  The answer appears in the comments section below.

Target introduces "Threshold"

Despite the fact that Target already plans to add The Nate Berkus Collection this Fall, they're also launching a new home decor line called "Threshold".  This new in-house home brand will debut in September with a full rollout next spring. Inspiration for the collection is centered on the New England countryside, incorporating equestrian and heritage themes, Native American prints, menswear stripes and plaids, brass accents, different textures and hand-sketched elements. Texture  - like chunky knits - is also a big influence, and will show up on pillows, ottomans, throws and lamps.

And speaking of "influences", I can't help but notice that the Threshold knitted pouf shown lower left is almost identical to one currently being sold by CB2.

JCP continues to copy the Bullseye…

Last month I commented how JC Penney’s new ads are looking awfully similar to Target’s old ones.  That isn’t entirely surprising, as JCP hired Target’s former CMO as their president late last year and also brought on Target’s former ad agency, the award-winning Peterson Milla Hooks. But now the NY Post is reporting that JCP is also adopting an “in-store shops” model (similar to Target) this Fall as it rolls out a swath of new brands.  And one of those new brands just happens to be a housewares line from Michael Graves (who recently ended a long partnership with Target).

Mossimo suiting in hot summer hues

Mossimo (at Target) has just introduced mens suiting separates in seven new hot hues for summer.  Available online at Target.com (and in selected stores) these colorful jackets, pants and ties come in Rivera Red, French Violet, Vibrant Yellow, Blue Bayou, Calistgo Blue, Flame, and Forest Glen. The jackets retail for $49.99, the pants for $29.99, and the ties are $19.99 each.

Raiding the mens department of The Webster...

I was lukewarm on my review of the womens offerings from The Webster at Target, but then I checked out the mens department... and I ended up not only with a polo shirt for the hubby but with several items for myself as well.  I nabbed this fun fedora, which makes up for the fact that I missed out on getting one from the Eugenia Kim for Target line a couple of years back. I also got this nautical stripe tee, which was perfect for me in a mens size small.  And I might just go back for the button-up shirt in super-soft cotton, because IMO - with its pleated front and roll-tab sleeves - it looks more like a womens shirt anyhow.

Patch NYC at Target

Patch NYC - a lifestyle studio actually located in Boston (not NY) and best known for its original art and colorful collection of home décor -  is the final "new shop" to be revealed as part of the second phase of The Shops at Target.

Patch NYC first débuted in 1997 with a collection of wholesale accessories, including hand-detailed hats, scarves and jewelry, much to the acclaim and clamor of instant devotees. Shop owners and designers Don Carney and John Ross eventually moved Patch NYC and moved to Boston's South End with unique, vintage-inspired collectibles for the home.  Their collection for Target - ranging in price from $4.99 to $119.99 - will feature nature-inspired lush bedding, decorative pillows, figural lamps, glass drink ware, serving bowls, coasters and more.

Double-Take: Tiffany vs. Target

It's time for another double-take, where we take one item from the Bullseye and pair it up with a lookalike designer piece (at a much higher price-point).   This time we have two trendy starfish pendants, and one of them is the "real deal": the Elsa Peretti-designed Tiffany & Co. piece in platinum and diamonds (weighing in at $3,475!).  And the other one is the Target knockoff in sterling silver and CZ for just $15.99.  Which one is which?  The answers appears in the comments section below.

Odin New York at Target

Target has announced the third new "shop" for the Fall launch of The Shops at Target, and this one has men in mind.  Inspired by the stylish men's store Odin (of which there are three outposts in NYC) co-founders Eddy Chai and Paul Birardi will create a collection of mens sweaters, henleys, button-down shirts, pants, shoes and accessories.  You can read more about Odin at Target (plus see pictures of the Manhattan flagship store) here on A Bullseye View.

Better get used to The Shops concept...

...because apparantly, it's here to stay awhile.  The Shops at Target concept will continue with a "phase 2" in the Fall, set to debut Sept. 9th.  That probably means no "big name" designer collabs like Missoni  for the rest of the year (although as I reported last week, Target is adding Nate Berkus to the fold for a home line later this year).

One "new shop" coming to the Bullseye is SoHo boutique Kirna Zabête.  This decade-old venture run by co-founders (and BFFs) Sarah Easley and Beth Buccini will inspire a collection of women's tops, dresses, skirts, pants, outerwear and accessories.  Another is San Francisco's The Curiosity Shoppe,  an eclectic mix of crafts, kits, books, unusual gift ideas, home décor and quirky objets d’art. Co-founders Lauren Smith and Derek Fagerstrom will curate a 60-plus-piece collection of entertaining accessories, stationery, kitchenware, games, crafts and curiosities ranging in price from $3 (for a melamine salad plate) to $25 (for a ceramic cake stand).

Target to open C9 store this Fall

This just in, from the San Francisco Chronicle: Target plans to open its first ever standalone C9 by Champion store in San Francisco this October.

Dubbed C9 Active Apparel, the stand-alone store will occupy 3,000 square feet on the street level of the refurbished Metreon complex.  It will be located just below the city's new Target store, which will take up the entire second floor of the complex. Priced in the $20-40 range, C9 Active Apparel will offer a full assortment of athletic apparel and gear for men and women, including activewear, yoga mats and water bottles. The C9 by Champion brand has been sold exclusively at Target since 2004.

Privet House selling well...

One area where The Shops at Target seems to be selling well is the "online only" selection from Privet House.  A quick check shows 8 of the 22 online exclusives already sold out, including the 3 shown here.

In comparison, The Webster and The Cos Bar still look fully stocked, and Polka Dog Bakery only has a couple of the dog toys sold out.  The Candy Bar offerings are only sold in stores, so it's hard to tell how that line is doing.

The Shops at Target: nothing to write home about

Yesterday I arrived at my local Target bright and early to check out the offerngs from The Shops collection... and honestly, I was completely underwhelmed.  Let's start with The Webster: while the selection was impressive - with several racks packed with women's clothing, in a variety of sizes - I felt the quality was lacking.  Some items were fabricated in cotton - like the sheath dress and the gauzy-peasant top (which was the one item I bought) - but many were made of scratchy polyester (reminicent of the Jason Wu collection).  I also noticed some shoddy workmanship, like uneven stitching and poor fabrication on the color-block cardigans (and a quick check of all the colors on the rack showed this to be a widespread issue - not just an isolated one).

A quick perusal of the accessories aisle showed very few of the colorful tote bags and hats... and although the ones I saw were cute, they weren't any cuter than some of the Merona or Mossimo-brand ones.  And the jewelry - which was behind the glass case, so I couldn't inspect up-close - looked pretty but again, nothing to write home about. Oh, and no shoes to be found.  I circled the shoe dept. twice, with no luck.  Perhaps it was so early that my Target didn't have them out on display yet?

Privet House had several endcaps throughout the store: in home furnishings, stationery, and kitchenware.  Again, while their offerings were nice, they seemed a little pricey for the $$, especially when compared to the equally lovely offereings from Target Home and Smith & Hawken.  I was tempted by this adorable rope pouf - and almost put it in my basket - but again, couldn't justfy the price (almost $80) for an impulse buy.

The Cos Bar seemed to be limited to one lonely endcap (shown here) which wasn't fully stocked.  While the wrapped soaps were pretty, I passed on these, because you can get even prettier (and larger) wrapped Italian soaps at discount retailers like TJ Maxx and Marshall's.

And honestly, I could care less about the other two "shops": I don't own a dog, and I need candy like  I need a hole in the head, so I passed on Polka Dog Bakery and The Candy Store.  Some of you have already commented that these offerings were overpriced as well, so it sounds like I'm not missing out on anything.

The Shops at Target debut... and is nothing like the Jason Wu frenzy

Good morning, dear readers!  Have you been to Target yet to check out their new Shops collection?  I haven't (as it's still a couple hours too early here on the West Coast) but from perusing Target.com, I can tell you that The Shops at Target isn't causing anywhere near the frenzy that Jason Wu did back in February. I would have imagined that if anything were to sell out quickly, it would be the fashion offerings from The Webster.  However, it looks like Target.com has 4 pages of merchandise from their collection (including clothing for men, women, and children, as well as women's accessories) and nothing is sold out yet.  The depth and breadth of The Webster collection reminds me a bit of the Liberty of London for Target collab, and since it is so vast, perhaps they planned for anticipated demand and will have enough for everyone (unlike Wu).

Likewise, Privet House seems to be all there - nothing sold out yet - and as I mentioned in my review last month, while the selection is nice and all, it's not that much different that anything produced by Target Home (Target's in-house brand). Plus, now that I know that the Nate Berkus for Target collection is coming this Fall, I'd rather save my $$ for that collab.

Candidly, I didn't check the web pages on The Cos Bar, Polka Dog Bakery, or The Candy Store, as I can't imagine anything there selling out quickly.  It will be really interesting to see if The Shops sell well... or whether folks will wait until it's all on clearance to snap it up.

Consumer Alert: Target Recalls Bunny Sippy Cups

Target is recalling more than a quarter million Target Home-branded Bunny Sippy Cups because the ear of the bunny can poke a child in the eye when he tilts the cup to drink. 

The cup (shown here) comes with handles on both sides in pink or blue, and has a white bunny head screw-on lid with one bent ear and one straight ear. They can be identified by imprints on the bottom: "TARGET 200020683" for pink and "TARGET 200020884" for the blue.

Target has received six reports of incidents where the plastic ear poked children during routine use of the product. Cuts and bruises were reported in three of these reports. Consumers should immediately stop using thesy sippy cups, and return them to any Target store for a full refund.

More info on The Nate Berkus for Target collection...

A Bullseye View has posted a short video (which you can view here) with more details about Nate's upcoming collection for Target.  Dubbed as "an intimate dinner party hosted by Nate and Target in New York City", the video reveals that the collaboration with Target has been "a year and a half in the making". The video showcases some of the actual items from Nate's upcoming line, and so far, I really like what I see!  I'll have to be patient, though, because the Nate Berkus for Target collection doesn't hit stores and Target.com until October 21st.

Target celebrates debut of The Shops at Target

On Tuesday night, Target celebrated the launch of its latest retail offering - The Shops At Target - with a bash in the lobby of Chelsea’s IAC building in New York City. The collections and shop-in-shop experiences were created in collaboration with various boutiques from around the country, including The Candy Store in San Francisco, beauty chain Cos Bar, Boston’s Polka Dog Bakery, Privet House in Connecticut, and The Webster in Miami Beach.  All Shops will officially debut in Target stores and on Target.com on Sunday, May 6.

According to ThreadNY, during the event items from the The Shops hung from the ceiling in installations including jars of candy, plates and makeup. In addition to performances by Wilson Phillips and Theophilus London, the party also drew the likes of actresses January Jones and Emma Roberts (shown here) who showed up wearing a cardigan from the collection that will retail for $32.99. "I like a mix," the actress said. "I love to shop at places like Target and H&M and mix it in with Chanel and Isabel Marant.”

Coming to Target: The Nate Berkus Collection

Hot off the presses!  Target has signed designer Nate Berkus for their new home collection.

Come October, the Bullseye will feature The Nate Berkus Collection: over 150 home products painstakingly designed by Berkus himself, including bedding, bath, accessories, lighting, rugs and window treatments.

Berkus said the partnership with the $68 billion Minneapolis-based cheap chic retailer is a kind of dream come true. "Quality and design are my first requirements, but everything has to be affordable," he said in an interview with the Star Tribune. Products bearing his name will be priced from $5.99 to $149.99.

Berkus became the design expert on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2002, after redecorating a teensy studio apartment for the program. He's honed a design style noted for its simplicity and layering of textures, often with a natural theme.  "I love objects that strike up a memory, or really resonate with you when you buy it," he said.

Neither Target nor Berkus have released financial details of their "multi-year" partnership. But it comes just after Target ended its groundbreaking 13-year relationship with the architect Michael Graves, who designed housewares for the retailer ranging from kitchen mops to can openers.

Mindful that Target shoppers may not be able to indulge in wholesale redecorating projects in a tough economy, Berkus said his collection can be added to, over time, and layered into existing rooms and decor. The patterns and materials are signature Berkus: A chevron-patterned duvet cover, towels bearing an ikat pattern, herringbone window panels, and decorative objects featuring metal studs and snakeskin finishes.

Target no longer selling Kindle line

This just in, via CNET:  Target has decided to remove Amazon's entire Kindle line from store shelves. As of May 13, Target will no longer accept shipments of Amazon's Kindle line. An internal memo doesn't say why the mega-retailer decided to make the move, but makes it clear that the company "has made the decision to no longer carry Amazon hardware." The retailer, however, will continue to sell Kindle accessories.


A quick search for the Kindle on Target's Web site reveals that the devices are not available for purchase. Apparantly the decision to discontinue the Kindle line in Target stores relates to a "conflict of interest." It's not immediately clear what the conflict might be, but it might have something to do with Amazon and Target battling it out on the retail front.